Boston and Albany Railroad
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History of Boston and Albany Railroad
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The seeds of the Boston and Albany Railroad (B&A) were planted more than 30 years before the company was formally established, when the Boston and Worcester Railroad, the Western Railroad, and the Castleton and West Stockbridge Railroad were independently chartered in the early 1830s. The three companies spent years building out their respective lines in sections and sometimes implementing double-tracking before ultimately merging in 1870. At the time, the connection of these lines from Albany, New York to Boston, Massachusetts represented the longest stretch of railroad in the country. In 1883, the Railroad acquired track owned by smaller railroads and began construction on what would be called “The Circuit,” a commuter loop operating through Boston and surrounding suburbs, which would open three years later. The company underwent a significant period of investment during the late 1880s and 1890s when architects were hired to design, and construction began on over 32 stations across its network.
From the turn of the century through the 1940s, commuting via railroad had hit an all-time high to that point, which B&A saw as an opportunity to further expand its service. As of 1939, B&A’s infrastructure provided service on 16 branches, and had 29 named, long-distance trains which stopped in a variety of cities, ranging from Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland, to Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Boston. Beginning in the 1970s, pieces of B&A’s network began being sold off to other railroad companies, including Amtrak, Conrail, and MBTA for passenger trips, and CSX for freight transportation.
Asbestos Use at Boston and Albany Railroad in Massachusetts
The railroads were arguably one of the most important technological and logistical innovations ever produced in the United States. Food, fuel, medical supplies, consumer goods, building materials, and a host of other goods have been transported across the country via railroads, as well as being used for commuter travel. However, like any large industry or entity, there is always a price to pay for such groundbreaking expansion. The workers who built and maintained trains, railroad tracks, and train stations often endured harsh working conditions. Prior to knowing the true dangers of asbestos, it was used as an inexpensive and widely available insulator. Considering that several elements of trains and train stations require insulation against heat, it is no surprise that these workers experienced persistent exposure to this dangerous carcinogen.
Steam engine trains operated with asbestos insulation found in boilers, steam and water pipes, fireboxes, gaskets, brake lining, and sealing cement. Workers’ clothing would often consist of asbestos-woven fibers in order to better protect them against the heat experienced during work. And unfortunately, workers would unknowingly carry home asbestos fibers on their clothes, hair, and skin, and have potential to expose their friends and family who were not directly involved in their hazardous work. Construction materials used in building of railroad stations were also a hotbed of potential asbestos exposure, due to the material being found in electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, cement, floor tiles, wall and service equipment insulation, and more.
Our Top-Rated Asbestos Attorneys Represent Boston and Albany Railroad workers
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness due to asbestos exposure at Boston and Albany Railroad in Massachusetts, you need to speak with an experienced asbestos lawyer as soon as possible.
At Belluck & Fox, our nationally recognized mesothelioma attorneys have extensive experience fighting for families and workers exposed to asbestos. We are proud to have secured more than $1 billion in compensation for asbestos victims and their families.
We are ready to help you. Contact us today to set up a free consultation. A partner at our law firm will personally call you to talk about the details of your case and explain your legal options. Our law firm does not charge (any legal fees upfront and we do not get paid unless and until we secure compensation for you.
